National show contempt for public with assets sales push

National’s plan to sell Mighty
River Power before Kiwis can have their say in the asset
sales referendum displays a contempt for the New Zealand
public, Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman said
today.

Prime Minister John Key today unveiled the
Government's plans for the sale of Mighty River
Power.

“The decision to push ahead with its asset sales
agenda is part of an ideologically-driven agenda to sell our
assets no matter what,” said Dr Norman.

“John Key is
ignoring the wishes of those New Zealanders who
overwhelmingly oppose asset sales – 400,000 of whom have
taken the time to sign the Keep Our Assets
petition.

“The Prime Minister is always willing to
listen to the concerns of SkyCity Casino but seems unwilling
to listen to millions of New Zealanders.

“Only 5% of
Kiwis are expected to buy shares, with the vast majority of
New Zealanders gaining nothing from the sale except the
likelihood of higher power prices in the
future.

“Listing on the Australian stock exchange shows
the talk of ‘mum and dad’ Kiwi investors is also
rubbish.

“There’s nothing in John Key’s asset sales
plan that would stop shares from going offshore.

“In
fact, Treasury advised the Government to facilitate foreign
buyers to create ‘pricing tension’ – that is, force up
the price for New Zealand investors.

“The bonus share
‘give away’ to those Kiwis able to afford buying shares
could end up costing all taxpayers untold millions.

“This asset sales program is about a transfer of wealth
from the public of New Zealand to private
interests.

“The Government should wait for the wait for
the referendum on asset sales and listen to the results,”
Dr Norman
said.

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